Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
During our Saturdays together, Xavier had told me all about club life, including the territorial nature of club whores. He’d also assured me the men in Kiss of Death pampered their women, whether they were old ladies or not. He’d said they’d created monsters. Now the club girls were pushing back against the old ladies, demanding attention. He said the guys never let it go too far, and they always took the side of their old ladies, but they all kind of enjoyed the cat fights as long as no one got hurt. Pudding or Jell-O never hurt either.
But just as Xavier had promised, as long as I stayed in our apartment, the club girls left me alone. The only time anyone disturbed me was at lunch and when Xavier came home from whatever club business he was tasked with. At lunch, Hannah, Pippa, Violet, and Carrie brought me food. Sometimes a simple sandwich and chips, other times they’d bring burgers or hot dogs. Or pizza. They made me eat and talk with them for an hour, then let me get back to work. Violet said I needed the break and good, friendly human interaction. Always, the women were unfailingly kind. All of them read my books and eagerly talked about what they’d read during our lunches. I loved every single one of them.
I’d just finished a chapter when the door opened and Xavier stepped inside. “Honey, I’m home!” It was his favorite thing to say when he stepped through the door. Without fail, he had a huge smile on his face. If I wasn’t at my desk working or in the kitchen baking something, Xavier searched me out until he found me. If I’d pulled an all nighter and he found me in bed? Well. Those times had been great fun.
I stood and ran to Xavier. As always, he opened his arms and I jumped into them, wrapping my legs around his waist while I giggled and kissed him.
“Damn, baby.” Xavier chuckled against my lips, his eyes alight with humor and more than a little desire. “Gonna have to insist you welcome me home like this every day.”
“Maybe I should stop greeting you like this,” I teased, nipping at his bottom lip. “You’re getting spoiled.”
“Don’t you dare.” He carried me to the couch and sat down with me still in his lap before leaning in and blowing a raspberry against my neck, making me squeal. Then he gave me a lingering kiss before sighing and sitting back against the couch. “How’s the writing going?”
I beamed at him. “Really good. I finished another chapter today.”
“That’s my girl.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle despite his rough hands. “Knuckles wants to see us tonight.”
I tensed slightly. “Both of us? Why?”
“Nothing bad,” he assured me quickly. “He’s got some news about your house situation, and he wants to talk about making you official.”
“Official?”
Xavier’s eyes grew serious. “My old lady. Wearing my patch. If you want that.”
My heart skipped. “You mean like getting a property patch?”
“Yeah.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “But only if you’re ready for that. No pressure.”
Was I? I thought I might be. Xavier had proven to be telling the truth about club life and everything he’d told me about Kiss of Death. He also continued to show me care and positive attention. And the man was a sex god.
A slow smile spread across my lips as I considered his offer. “Yeah. I’m ready. You are the same man out of prison I got to know in prison. And I’ve been in love with you for quite some time, Xavier. I’m not even going to try to deny it.” Xavier sucked in a sharp breath, but I continued before he could say anything. “You’ve shown me what it feels like to be loved. You may not be ready to admit it yet, but I know you love me. In whatever way. Platonically. Romantically. You love me. And I love you.”
Xavier’s eyes went dark and intense, his hands tightening on my waist. “Tillie,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Baby, there ain’t nothing platonic about what I feel for you.” He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing across my cheeks. “I’ve been in love with you since that first Saturday you walked into that visiting room,” he continued, his forehead resting against mine. “Scared the shit out of me because I knew I was gonna have to let you go at the end of every visit. But I couldn’t tell you to stay away.”
Tears pricked my eyes as his words washed over me. “Xavier…”
“I love you, Tillie Girl. More than I ever thought I could love anything. You’re everything good in this world and somehow you chose me.” His voice cracked slightly. “I don’t deserve you, but I’ll spend every day trying to be worthy of you.”